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Wednesday, November 4, 2009 ASHEVILLE CITY ELECTION RESULTS12:11 PM ASHEVILLE, NC - Unofficial Asheville City Election results below: (Winners in bold)Asheville City Council Candidate: Votes: Percent: Esther Manheimer 6,567 19.24% Gordon Smith 6,301 18.46% Cecil Bothwell 5,899 17.28% Robin Cape (Write-In) 4,620 13.53% J. Neal Jackson 3,476 10.18% Ryan D. Croft 2,525 7.4% Asheville Mayor Candidate Votes Percent Terry M. Bellamy 9,543 78.75% Robert W. Edwards 2,431 20.06% Write-In 144 1.19% Labels: asheville, city council, election, government, mayor, politics
Repairs to City Parking Garages Begins11:57 AM
ASHEVILLE, NC - City of Asheville Parking Services will conduct repairs and restorative maintenance work on the Wall Street and Rankin Avenue parking garages beginning Nov. 3 and continuing through the end of the year. Work will include concrete repairs, water sealing, replacement or repair of joints, and repainting the stripes and directional arrows in the garages. These actions are necessary to maintain the facility for years to come.
Work will start with the Wall Street Garage and then Rankin Avenue Garage. Weather permitting, work will be conducted from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. daily, except Sundays, and will be conducted in phases to minimize the disruption to normal activities. Parking patrons should, however, expect differing traffic patterns, some delays, and closed-off spaces during repairs. During repairs, the remaining two City garages, Civic Center, and either Rankin Avenue or Wall Street, will be open for parkers’ use. Labels: asheville, events, government Friday, October 30, 2009 Youth Leadership Academy Helps Local Homeless Shelter12:09 PM
ASHEVILLE, NC - The City of Asheville Youth Leadership Academy (CAYLA) teaches high school students about civic responsibility, both through summer internships and through monthly community service projects.
The CAYLA students spent a recent Saturday at the ABCCM Women and Children’s Shelter preparing lunch for the residents. Among the many lessons learned: When making a four-course lunch for 40 people, there are never too many cooks in the kitchen. While there, CAYLA students also played basketball with the resident children and cleaned and disinfected the toy room. For more information about CAYLA or to support an upcoming service project, please contact program coordinator Erika Germer: egermer@ashevillenc.gov. Labels: asheville, government Tuesday, October 27, 2009 City Calls for Bids on Economic Stimulus Projects10:15 AM
ASHEVILLE, NC - The city of Asheville is calling for bids from qualified contractors for two projects, a pedestrian improvement project and a bicycle project, made possible by economic stimulus funds. Allocations for these projects were made available through the French Broad River Metropolitan Planning Organization and the North Carolina Department of Transportation. The projects will extend the city’s pedestrian and bicycle transportation network by more than four miles.
The pedestrian improvement project includes approximately one and one-third miles of new sidewalk on parts of Hendersonville Road, Depot Street, Hilliard Street, Short Michigan Avenue, Linden Street and Evelyn Place. The project also includes construction of a quarter-mile multi-use path along Choctaw Street. The bicycle project will increase the existing bicycle network by more than two and one-half miles. Bicycle lanes will be added to Coxe Avenue, Asheland Avenue, Hilliard Street, Martin Luther King, Jr., Boulevard, and Choctaw Street. Coxe Avenue will also be resurfaced as a part of the project. "These projects will enhance the city’s capacity to support a multi-model transportation network by making it easier to walk and bike in Asheville," said Ken Putnam, the city’s transportation director. Additional information on the scope of these projects, including the plan drawings and contract documents, is available here. Interested contractors must attend a scheduled pre-bid conference for each project and must submit bids on or before 10 a.m. Thursday, November 12, 2009 for the pedestrian improvements project and on or before 10 a.m. Wednesday, November 18, 2009 for the bicycle project. Labels: asheville, government Friday, October 23, 2009 City of Asheville Prepares for Leaf Collection10:52 AM
ASHEVILLE, NC - The City of Asheville is preparing for leaf collection which will begin Nov. 9. The Sanitation Division collects bagged and loose leaves separately according to schedules based on trash collection days. Residents using either bagged leaf collection or loose leaf vacuuming collection should separate their leaves from trash and other waste, placing leaves at the curb away from the street and storm drains. Burning of leaves is not permitted by city ordinance.
Composting provides the easiest and most efficient means for leaf disposal. Residents can run a mulching mower over leaves to compost them directly into their lawn. They may also rake leaves into a pile, which will decompose into a rich soil additive for spring gardens. Sanitation crews collect bagged or containerized leaves twice a month on a year-round basis. Residents should place unsealed bagged or containerized leaves at the curb by 7 a.m. on the Monday of their scheduled collection week. Crews will remove the leaves by the end of the week. Residents’ bags or containers will be left for reuse after collection. Fresh leaves can be delivered to your home or business at no cost. Call 251-1122 to schedule delivery. For more information on yard waste collection and collection schedules please call 251-1122 or visit the website at www.ashevillenc.gov/sanitation Labels: asheville, government Wednesday, October 14, 2009 City Hosts Business Forum on ARRA Opportunities10:37 AM
ASHEVILLE, NC - The City of Asheville is partnering with regional business support agencies to host a forum on the impact of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) on businesses Thursday, October 15, at the Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College’s Enka campus.
Representatives from various agencies involved in business development will be on hand to provide information on services available to business owners. Participating agencies include: the City of Asheville, Buncombe County, the U.S. Small Business Administration, the A-B Tech Center for Business & Technology Incubation, the Small Business and Technology Development Center, Asheville SCORE, Mountain BizWorks, and the Procurement Technical Assistance Counselor Office, among others. In addition to providing information throughout most of the day, service providers will take part in two panel discussions. The first panel discussion, "An Overview of the Recovery Act and Accessing Contracting Opportunities," will take place from 10-11 a.m. followed by "Current Loan Opportunities," at 1:30-2:30 p.m. "The city is hosting this event to make sure local businesses understand how to participate in government contracting and can take advantage of any opportunities that become available under the economic stimulus program," said Brenda Mills, the city's ARRA project manager. "We also want to make information about other business support services widely available, even those that exist outside of ARRA." The event will take place at the A-B Tech Enka campus’s Haynes Conference Center with opening remarks delivered at 9:45 a.m. The forum will close at 3:30 p.m. Attendance is free of charge and open to the public. For more information, contact Brenda Mills at (828) 259-8050 or bmills@ashevillenc.gov Labels: asheville, buncombe county, events, government
Four Additional Early Voting Sites to Open in Asheville10:27 AM
ASHEVILLE, NC - Additional early voting sites in north, south, east and west Asheville will open October 24 – 31. Sites will be open 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. On October 31 only, the sites will be open 8 a.m.-1 p.m. The additional sites will supplement the current downtown Asheville site at 189 College St.
City Council voted to fund the additional sites at its September 8 meeting in order to add more opportunities for the community to participate in the election. The new locations are: • North Asheville Branch Library, 1030 Merrimon Ave., Asheville, 28804 • South Buncombe Branch Library, 260 Overlook Rd., Asheville, 28803 • City of Asheville – Parks, Recreation & Cultural Arts Recreation Office in east Asheville, 72 Gashes Creek Rd., Asheville, 28805 • West Asheville Branch Library, 942 Haywood Rd., Asheville, 28806 All registered voters are eligible to vote during this time. Same day registration will be available at all early voting sites for residents who are not registered. Same day registration allows residents to register and vote on the same day. For election information, call Buncombe County Election Services at 250-4200 or visit http://www.buncombecounty.org/governing/depts/election/. Labels: asheville, election, events, government Monday, October 12, 2009 City of Asheville 2009 Community Development Performance Report Now Available11:56 AM
ASHEVILLE, NC - The City of Asheville Community Development Division has published the 2009 Comprehensive Annual Performance Evaluation Report. This report provides detailed information about how the City and the Asheville Regional Housing Consortium allocated and used federal funds from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development to support affordable housing, public services and other community development activities, in Asheville and in Buncombe, Henderson, Madison and Transylvania Counties. The report is available here.Labels: asheville, government Monday, October 5, 2009 UNC Asheville and City of Asheville Agreement Sets Stage for New Partnerships9:22 AM
ASHEVILLE, NC - The long-standing, informal partnership between UNC Asheville and City of Asheville took a step forward with the signing of a joint agreement that sets the stage for future collaborations.
UNC Asheville Chancellor Anne Ponder and Asheville Mayor Terry Bellamy, who signed the agreement, were joined by UNC President Erskine Bowles and city, university and elected officials at the ceremony, held at the Grove Arcade in downtown Asheville. The memo of understanding provides a framework for further collaborations in a number of areas important to the city and the region: environmental sustainability, health and wellness, culture and recreation, economic development and technology, and public safety. "I am really excited about this collaboration because it is with one of the best universities in the country," said Mayor Bellamy. "Today goes beyond liberal arts studies, today we are talking about economic development, keeping people healthy, promoting education and working together." "What we're doing at this very moment is more than signing a piece of paper," said Chancellor Ponder. "The University of North Carolina Asheville and City of Asheville do work together, are working together and will work together. Whether it is climate and technology, sustainability, health and wellness, public safety, this is exactly what Asheville needs." Chancellor Ponder noted that the partnership agreement fits perfectly with the university's strategic plan, the city's goals, and UNC Tomorrow, the UNC system's plan for responding to the needs of North Carolina. President Bowles agreed. "I think the real benefit of the signing of the memorandum of understanding is that it will enable us to leverage the fabulous resources and people we bring together as a group. More will come forward from it and benefit the people of this region," he said. The signing was followed by the official opening of the Renaissance Computing Institute (RENCI) at UNC Asheville Engagement Site at its new location at the Grove Arcade. RENCI is a multi-institution virtual organization headquartered in the Research Triangle that provides high performance computing technologies and a diverse research faculty to address important problems in North Carolina. The engagement site is one of several in the state established through university-RENCI partnerships. In its new location, the RENCI at UNC Asheville Engagement Site will provide leading edge technology for area decision makers and other collaborators in the areas of disaster research, mitigation and preparedness, taking advantage of Western North Carolina’s expertise in weather and climate modeling, visualization and public outreach. Locating the engagement site in downtown Asheville, in close proximity to its many users, is a primary example of the benefits of cooperation and collaboration between the UNC Asheville and the city. Jim Fox, director of the RENCI at UNC Asheville Engagement site, noted that over 20 partners – including the city, National Climatic Data Center, U.S. Forest Service, Land of Sky Regional Council and Buncombe County -- are involved in the work at RENCI. "What we're doing is addressing key societal issues: climate change, land use change, economic development, water resources. These are all challenges that cannot be handled individually. We need to provide the tools for local decision makers – the city, the county, the state – to be able to access those trusted sorts of information and make the critical decisions as we move ahead. The key is the people, all working together," Fox said. The city and UNC Asheville's National Environmental Modeling and Analysis Center (NEMAC) began working together after the widespread flooding that occurred in the wake of a series of hurricanes in 2004. With technological assistance from RENCI at UNC Asheville, which is part of NEMAC, the group developed a 3D watershed tool that shows the location of flood-prone areas, impervious surfaces and the effect of future building in the watershed. This set of tools is being used to create a new plan to mitigate the effects of the floods and to avoid flooding in the future. "I am really excited to have these tools available, accessible and affordable for the City of Asheville and the County of Buncombe," Mayor Bellamy said. "Even in times like these, when we have to discern very carefully what we can invest in because we can't do everything, we are choosing to do this with the City of Asheville because it is so important," said Chancellor Ponder. Labels: asheville, buncombe county, government, UNCA Wednesday, September 30, 2009 Asheville Seeks Public Participation in Recycling Contest12:58 PM ASHEVILLE, NC - The City of Asheville is participating in the Cans for Cash City Recycling Challenge. The contest, sponsored by The United States Conference of Mayors, Keep America Beautiful, and Novelis Corporation, challenges cities across the country to promote citizen participation in the collection of aluminum beverage cans.Asheville will compete with other cities of the same size for up to $5,000 in awards. Awards will be used to support recycling efforts through local education and awareness programs. Approximately 50 billion aluminum cans end up in landfills each year. Recycling aluminum beverage cans reduces waste in our landfills and helps create a sustainable environment. The Challenge starts October 1 and ends October 31, 2009. Recycle those aluminum cans! For more information about the Challenge or drop-off center locations, go to www.ashevillenc.gov/sanitation or call 251-1122.Labels: asheville, events, government, recycling Wednesday, September 16, 2009 City of Asheville Calls for Public Comment on Public Transit Master Plan11:51 AM
ASHEVILLE, NC - The City of Asheville is seeking public input through Sept. 29 on its draft transit master plan.
The proposed master plan includes a new route structure, Sunday service for six routes and thirty minute trip frequency along main corridors like Tunnel Road, Haywood Road, Merrimon Avenue, Patton Avenue and Biltmore Avenue. The plan also includes two new routes. A north Asheville loop would connect Charlotte Street and Montford Avenue via UNC Asheville, and a crosstown route would connect west Asheville to Biltmore Village and areas in east Asheville. "Our goal for the proposed route structure is to provide more options and improved service for riders," said Transit Manager Mariate Echeverry. "We are asking the public to comment on these recommendations to get additional input before the overall plan is complete." The master plan can be found at www.ashevilletransit.com. The document will also be available on the mezzanine level of City Hall; at the Pack Place, East, North, West, Oakley and Skyland public library branches; at the Asheville Transit Center on Coxe Avenue, and; at the city’s transportation planning division offices at 45 Wall St. Comments can be submitted to the city in writing to City of Asheville, ATTN: Transit Master Plan, P.O. Box 7148, Asheville, NC 28802 or via e-mail toiride@ashevillenc.gov. The city of Asheville currently operates 21 buses. According to research completed for the master plan, ridership trends in the last five years have increased by about 10 percent. The majority of riders, about 68 percent, are dependent on bus service as their only form of transportation, while about 27 percent prefer or choose to ride transit. Labels: asheville, government, Pack Place, transportation, UNCA Sunday, September 6, 2009 Asheville City Government Offices Closed Sept. 79:26 PM ASHEVILLE, NC - Asheville city government offices will be closed on Monday, Sept. 7 in observance of Labor Day.Garbage collection will not be affected by the holiday. Monday’s garbage collection will operate according to its regular schedule. City bus service will not operate on Monday in observance of the holiday. Asheville Transit will resume normal operations Tuesday, Sept. 8. For more information about city services, visit www.ashevillenc.gov Labels: asheville, government Friday, August 21, 2009 City of Asheville Saves $65,000 on Electricity Costs10:19 AM ASHEVILLE, NC - Shutting down computers, turning off lights and changing work schedules. Those are some of the strategies the city of Asheville used to save more than $65,000 in energy costs last year. The city implemented these and other programs by challenging employees to find ways they could save energy on their own."A little goes a long way. We had hundreds of city employees taking the extra step to conserve energy and participate in our sustainability programs," said Maggie Ullman, the city’s energy coordinator. The results paid off. Over the last year, the city reduced its municipal energy usage by 867,000 kilowatt hours, which is the same amount of energy it takes to operate City Hall for six months. As a result, the city reduced its municipal carbon footprint by 623 tons. The city points to three key sustainability programs as major contributors to the organization’s success during the last year: the compressed work week, an automatic computer shutdown program, and the employee energy conservation challenge. * The compressed work week, where employees typically work four ten hour days as opposed to a traditional five-day week, was first piloted in the Public Works Department and soon spread to other divisions. The schedule allows the city to realize energy savings by utilizing buildings, computers and other equipment 25 percent less. It also reduces the carbon footprint associated with employees commuting to work. About 180 city employees currently work a compressed schedule.,/p> * The computer shutdown program utilizes software to automatically turn off more than 500 city computers at 8 p.m. to reduce energy usage. * The energy conservation challenge encouraged employees to voluntarily reduce energy usage wherever possible. Simple acts like turning off lights when rooms were not in use and adjusting thermostats made an impact, especially in smaller facilities like community centers and fire stations. As part of its strategic plan for the city, the Asheville City Council included a focus area on green initiatives, stating, “Asheville will be the southeastern leader in clean energy and environmental sustainability while preserving and enhancing the city’s natural beauty.” In April 2007, City Council adopted a goal of reducing the municipal carbon footprint by 2 percent every year. Staff conducts an annual energy inventory to track the organization’s progress on energy usage. Asheville will use a Sustainability Management Plan adopted by City Council in June to guide ongoing efforts to further reduce energy consumption. To view Asheville’s Sustainability Management Plan or for information on other city sustainability programs, visit www.ashevillenc.gov/green. Labels: asheville, government, green, sustainable Monday, August 17, 2009 Asheville Police Assigns New Downtown Unit10:48 AMASHEVILLE, NC - With the continued economic vitality and growth in the downtown area, Asheville police have seen an associated increase in calls for service in the Central Business District (CBD). In 2008, officers assigned to extra duty downtown (called "augment") handled more than 4,247 such calls, while also making more than 4,680 business contacts and recording some 16,000 non-enforcement interactions with the public. To further bolster our positive efforts in the CBD, the APD has formed a dedicated eight-member Downtown Unit to patrol the area on bike, foot and with electric GEM cars. "Nearly 20 percent of our calls for service and workload occurs in the Central Business District," Chief Bill Hogan said. "This is another way for us to address that call demand." The unit, which officially began patrols on July 29, is composed of existing personnel, with the only related costs being to furnish each officer with a bicycle and its associated uniforms and equipment. The unit's area of focus is roughly bordered by Interstate 240 to the north; Hilliard Avenue to the south; the roundabout at Woodfin Street to the east; and Clingman & Patton avenues to the west. "Having eight dedicated officers with a full-time focus on this area will allow us to develop and foster relationships with merchants, as well as with the people who work, live and visit downtown on a regular basis," Chief Hogan said. Labels: asheville, downtown, government, police Friday, August 14, 2009 City Purchases New Fire Trucks11:24 AM
ASHEVILLE, NC - Asheville Fire and Rescue received three new fire trucks and they are now online and ready to serve the community. Quint 5, Ladder 10 and Engine 7, all manufactured by Pierce, were recently placed in service to help better serve the citizens of Asheville. These trucks were funded through the general fund and approved by City Council in order to plan for Asheville's future. Both Quint 5 and Ladder 10 replaced older model fire trucks, and Engine 7 was specifically designed for narrow streets. These new trucks ultimately will assist in energy goals of the city to reduce city carbon emissions. They will also help to make Asheville one of the safest cities in America based on the approved metrics for similarly sized cities. Labels: asheville, government Thursday, July 30, 2009 NC Governor Announces Sales Tax Holiday8:59 AMRALEIGH, NC - Gov. Bev Perdue has announced that North Carolinians can save money by purchasing items such as clothing, school supplies and computers during the state's sales tax holiday that begins on Friday, Aug. 7 and runs through Sunday, Aug. 9. "Especially during these tough economic times, it's important that we provide families with a break when it comes to buying school supplies," said Perdue. "The sales tax holiday will make it easier for families to buy the supplies they need, and I encourage all North Carolinians to take advantage of it." During the sales tax holiday weekend, consumers will not pay sales tax on the following items: clothing, footwear and school supplies of $100 or less per item; school instructional materials of $300 or less per item; sports and recreational equipment of $50 or less per item; computers of $3,500 or less per item; and computer supplies of $250 or less per item. For more details on the 2009 sales tax holiday - including a list of the items that are exempt from sales taxes during the holiday - visit the N.C. Department of Revenue's web site: http://www.dor.state.nc.us/taxes/sales/salestax_holiday.html. The holiday begins at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 7, and lasts until 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 9. The sales tax holiday was first enacted in 2001. Labels: education, events, government Wednesday, July 29, 2009 Asheville City Sponsors Lawful Employment Seminar9:53 AM ASHEVILLE, NC - The City of Asheville, AB Tech, and the Department of Homeland Security are co-sponsoring an “Understanding Lawful Employment” seminar Aug. 4, 9:30 a.m.-noon in Room 200 of the Haynes Building on the AB-Tech Enka Campus.The seminar is designed to give local employers an opportunity to learn how to file and use new federal employment forms with expected topics to include I-9 Preparation, E-Verify, and the IMAGE (ICE Mutual Agreement between Government and Employers) program. The seminar will begin with a presentation from the Department of Homeland Security followed by a question and answer session led by a panel of service providers. The panel will include representatives from the Small Business and Technology Development Center, State Human Resources Professional Local Chapter, Western Carolina Industries, and Department of Homeland Security. There is no cost to attend, however, pre-registration is required. To register, contact Janet Dack at (828) 232-4505 or jdack@ashevillenc.gov Labels: asheville, events, government Thursday, July 16, 2009 City Welcomes Third Class of Youth Leadership Academy12:10 PM ASHEVILLE, NC - The City of Asheville has selected 23 high school students to participate in the 2009 City of Asheville Youth Leadership Academy (CAYLA). CAYLA, created in April 2007, is designed to introduce promising Asheville High School students to civic-minded careers while encouraging them to take an active part in saving for their college education.The CAYLA students were chosen in May from eligible applicants at Asheville High School by a committee of local educators and city staff. Each student was required to submit an application and at least two written recommendations to the committee, and attend an in-person interview. After attending a week of orientation in June, students began 8-week internships at the both City and County Departments, as well as with a number of participating nonprofits and businesses including HomeTrust Bank, YMI Cultural Center, AB-Tech Small Business Center, UNCA, Mt. Zion Community Development Inc, MAHEC, the Center for Diversity Education, and the YWCA. CAYLA students earn approximately $7 an hour. To support their goal of attending college, CAYLA students will each receive $2,000 in a 529 College Savings Plan to be awarded by the Asheville City Schools Foundation at the completion of the program in May 2010. “CAYLA provides talented students with the opportunity to experience a professional environment while still in high school,” said Erika Germer, CAYLA coordinator. “I encourage Asheville businesses to consider hosting a CAYLA student next year or sponsoring a placement at a local nonprofit. Through public-private partnerships, CAYLA can promote economic self-sufficiency and strengthen our community as a whole.”To complement the summer internships, the CAYLA program places a significant emphasis on community service. The students have already started planning and the second annual Summer Olympics to be held in August for young children who live in Asheville’s various housing communities. In addition, the CAYLA students attend weekly workshops on topics including entrepreneurship, health & wellness, financial literacy, and a personalized career assessment. The members of the 2009-2010 Class of CAYLA are: Keevon Baten, Dre Bowden, Yelena Dariy, Taurean Davidson, Dreama Davis, Darius Drummond, Anika Ellis, Gio Figaro, Andrea Griffin, Nakia Harrell, Roosevelt “RJ” Harvin, Ceante Hudson, Martel Jackson,Tyler Jeffries, Satorria Jones, Simone Knotts, Sohna Njie ,Charles “Dre” Payton, Brianna Rock, Crystal Sherriff, Anice Smith, Jarrett Vernon, and Ariana Weaver. Labels: asheville, children, education, government
UNC Asheville Joins City of Asheville to Offer Classes at YMI Cultural Center11:25 AM
ASHEVILLE, NC - The University of North Carolina at Asheville, in collaboration with the City of Asheville and the YMI Cultural Center, will offer three upper-level, for-credit courses to the public beginning August 18. Classes will meet from 4:30-7 p.m. through December 8 at the YMI Cultural Center, located on the corner of Eagle and Market streets in downtown Asheville.
"Black Arts and the Harlem Renaissance" will examine how Harlem and its artists emerged from the social and political turmoil following World War I. Texts will include David Levering Lewis' "When Harlem Was in Vogue" and works by well-known authors, artists and musicians of the time. In-state tuition for this master's of liberal arts class is $452.82 and out-of-state tuition is $2,153.43, plus a one-time non-refundable $50 application fee. The registration deadline is August 12. "Cultures of Childrearing," an undergraduate anthropology class, will present the cultural practices surrounding parenting. Using ethnographies, case studies and fieldwork, this course will focus on the different ways that various communities approach raising children. "Community Approaches to Achieving Racial and Ethnic Health Equity" is an undergraduate health and wellness promotion course. Students in the course will learn about the history and causes of health disparities and inequalities in the United States. The class will also examine practical solutions to eliminate health disparities, with a goal of applying the lessons in the students' communities.,/p> In-state tuition for these classes is $267.30 and out-of-state tuition is $1,445.76, plus a one-time non-refundable $20 application fee. Registration deadline is August 12.Free parking for enrolled students will be available in the City parking lot adjacent to the YMI Cultural Center. For questions about parking, contact Harry Brown, City of Asheville parking services manager, at 828/259-5792 orhbrown@ashevillenc.gov. For more information or details on registrations, call UNC Asheville’s Extension and Distance Education Office at 828/232-5122 or visit www.unca.edu/distedu/. Labels: art, asheville, children, education, events, government, UNCA Wednesday, July 15, 2009 Asheville Transit Re-routing Due to Pack Square Construction12:27 PM
ASHEVILLE, NC - Asheville Transit will detour routes 5, 13, 26 and 28 Thursday, July 16, 5:30-11:30 a.m., due to road closures around South Pack Square from Biltmore Ave./ US-25 to Market Street.
Asheville Transit will change its routing for these five hours or until South Pack Square is re-opened to traffic. Routes 5, 13, 26 and 28 outbound will use Patton Avenue, then north on Broadway, east on Woodfin Street, and then will return to the standard route at the traffic circle at Oak and College Streets. In bound, the same route will be used; from the traffic circle on College Street turning onto Oak Street/Woodfin Street, south on Broadway and west to the Transit Center via College Street to Patton Avenue. This will affect the following routes for the follow times: - Route 5 – Charlotte Street – Starting with the 6:30 a.m. trip until and including the 11:30 a.m. trip will use the detoured route. - Route 13 - Tunnel Rd./Oteen/Haw Creek- Starting with the 6:30 a.m. trip until and including the 11:30 a.m. trip will use the detoured route. - Route 26 - Asheville Mall/Tunnel Rd. - Starting with the 6:15 a.m. trip until and including the 11:15 a.m. trip will use the detoured route. - Route 28 - Black Mountain – The entire portion of the 5:35 a.m. and 10 a.m. trip will use the detour route. Labels: asheville, government, transportation Monday, July 13, 2009 'Movin' in the Mountains' Scheduled for July 18th1:03 PMASHEVILLE, NC - The inaugural "Movin' in the Mountains", a day to learn about recreation opportunities and community resources for people with different abilities, will be 10 a.m.–12 p.m. Saturday, July 18, at the Carrier Park picnic shelter, located off Amboy Road. This free, fun-filled day is a celebration of National Therapeutic Recreation Week, a nationwide movement to enhance public awareness of Therapeutic Recreation programs and services, and expand recreation and leisure service opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Open to the public, the event is presented by Care Partners, Independent Living, and the Therapeutic Recreation Program of Asheville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts. Activities will include a Walk/Roll-a-thon, snacks, and games provided by Buncombe County Special Olympics and the TBI Support Group. To learn more about the event, call Lauren Weinstein at (828) 251-4031, or e-mail westashevillec@ashevillenc.gov. Labels: asheville, events, government Monday, July 6, 2009 City Seeks Applications for HPRP Funds11:56 AMASHEVILLE, NC - The city of Asheville is seeking pre-applications from organizations interested in implementing the Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program (HPRP) in Asheville. The city expects to receive $509,460 in American Reinvestment and Recovery Funds for HPRP. The city's community development division is currently seeking sub-grantees to implement the HPRP. City officials plan to publish instructions for pre-application on Monday, July 6 and will hold a public meeting to discuss the pre-application process July 8 at 3 p.m. The meeting will take place in the Asheville Public Works Building at 161 South Charlotte St. Pre-Applications will be due no later than 5 p.m. on July 17. Pre-application documents will be available at www.ashevillenc.gov Eligible sub-grantees include non-profit agencies or local governments with a primary purpose of providing housing stabilization within the city of Asheville. Applicants can submit an individual pre-application or submit a joint pre-application with partner agencies. Due to the limited funds, it is expected that funding will be directed to one or two agencies or agency partnerships. HPRP funds are designed to prevent homelessness and rapidly re-house people who become homeless using housing stabilization services and financial assistance. All program activities will be documented using the Homeless Management Information System, or HMIS. More information about this program is available at this link, or by contacting Brenda Mills, ARRA project manager, at (828) 259-8050. Labels: asheville, government Tuesday, June 30, 2009 City of Asheville Seeks Oversight and Strategy for River Arts District3:04 PM
ASHEVILLE, NC - The City of Asheville, NC is seeking statements of qualifications and proposals to produce environmental documentation, analyze project alternatives, develop preliminary designs, and develop a strategy for project implementation for roadway improvements and greenway improvements in the River Arts District in Asheville. This project implements a portion of the Wilma Dykeman Riverway Master Plan. The environmental analysis and design process is intended to move the project closer to implementation. The selected firm will also be responsible for coordinating a stakeholder's group, and involving environmental agencies and the public in the project development process. The consultant or consultant team must demonstrate that they have experience managing successful studies with a scope and focus similar to what is desired for the Riverway. Consultants should demonstrate expertise in all aspects of traffic engineering, as well as understanding of transportation-land use relationships, bicycle/pedestrian planning, context-sensitive roadway design and urban design. The successful teams must have experience with environmental analysis and documentation that meet the requirements of the federal government and the State of North Carolina. Inquiries and questions about this proposal should be submitted via email to Dan Baechtold at dbaechtold@ashevillenc.gov. Labels: art, asheville, government
Neighborhood YMCA at Reynolds Village to Host Open House12:14 PM
WOODFIN, NC - The YMCA of Western North Carolina is hosting Bagels and Banter, presented by Crescent PPO, with the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce, at the new Neighborhood YMCA at Reynolds Village in Woodfin, 8-9 a.m. July 30. This event was formerly known as Doughnuts and Dialogue. See the new Neighborhood YMCA at Woodfin and enjoy a quick and healthy breakfast. Ingles dietitian Leah McGrath will discuss healthy meal ideas, and will present with Mayor Terry Bellamy during the breakfast. Bagels and Banter provides an opportunity for the YMCA to showcase the community-building work Pioneering Healthier Community Committees are doing in the Asheville area. Attendees will learn about a variety of groups including schools, businesses, and local government involved in making Asheville a healthier place to live, work and play. The event is free for Chamber members and $10 for non-members. For more information, call Kristen Weaver, director of association wellness, at (828) 210-9658, e-mail, kweaver@ymcawnc.org or visit www.ymcawnc.org. Labels: asheville, events, government, reynolds village, woodfin, ymca Thursday, June 18, 2009 City of Asheville and YWCA Create Partnership3:14 PM
ASHEVILLE, NC - The city of Asheville has partnered with YWCA of Asheville at 185 S. French Broad Ave. in introducing a trial program called the “Y Commute Pass” which will be offered during the months of June, July and August. This program will allow bicycle commuters and walkers access to the locker room, a locker, and shower for $50.00 for the three months. So whether you walk or bicycle to downtown Asheville, you now have an opportunity to shower before heading into the office.
The City of Asheville’s Transportation Division approached the YWCA to see if they would be interested in offering commuters an opportunity to freshen up on their way to work. Barb Mee, Transportation Planner, found this to be a “great benefit for people who want to walk or bicycle to work in the downtown area. For many people, there is a fear that if they use an active form of transportation they won’t be presentable for work,” she said. I am so impressed that the YWCA of Asheville is willing to be a leader in supporting the community this way.” YWCA Executive Director Holly Jones said that “the YWCA is committed to facilitating healthy lifestyles for the citizens of Buncombe County. The YWCA is proud to launch a community-wide bicycle commuter program in order to support individuals committed to incorporating alternative transportation into their daily routines.” For more information about the YWCA Y Commute Pass, contact Carol Severance at the YWCA, 254-7206 x105. For more information about walking and bicycling in Asheville, contact Barb Mee at the City of Asheville, 232-4540, or email iwalk@ashevillenc.gov or ibike@ashevillenc.gov Labels: asheville, events, government, health, ywca
Asheville Hosts 'Community Economic Forum'2:52 PM
ASHEVILLE, NC - The City of Asheville and Asheville City Council will host a public forum on Friday, June 19 at 10 a.m. to discuss current economic conditions in Asheville. The event will be held at the Asheville Civic Center Banquet Hall.
Asheville Mayor Terry Bellamy will be joined by a panel of local speakers to discuss economic conditions and their impact on key public and private sectors in the community. North Carolina Senator Martin Nesbitt is expected to speak about the status of the state’s budget as well as implications of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Representatives from the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners, Advantage West, the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Asheville Board of Realtors are also expected to participate on the panel.
“The city is hosting this event so citizens can hear from local industry leaders about the state of our economy and what the outlook holds in the coming months,” said Mayor Bellamy. “By coming together and sharing information, our city will be better positioned to take advantage of economic opportunities and to support the local businesses and families that make up the backbone of our economy.” The event is free and open to the public. Labels: asheville, buncombe county, events, government Tuesday, June 9, 2009 Asheville Transit Prepares for Tonight's Phish Concert1:38 PM
ASHEVILLE, NC - On Tuesday, June 9, Asheville Transit routes will be re-routed in anticipation of both pedestrian and automobile traffic due to the Phish concert being held at the Asheville Civic Center. The following transit routes will be adjusted in order to continue to provide efficient service:
Route 11 – Montford/Klondyke/Hillcrest – 9am- 7pm, service will operate to/from the Transit Center & Montford Ave. via Patton Ave. to Haywood St. and to Montford Ave. There will be no service on Flint St., Cherry St. and the portion of Haywood St. in front of the Civic Center. This applies for all inbound and outbound trips. Route 18 – Erskine Street/Flint Street – 9am- 7pm, service will operate to/from UNC Asheville & downtown via North Lexington Ave. There will be no service on Haywood St., Flint St., and Cherry St. This route will be used on all inbound and out trips. Route 15 – Patton Ave./Deaverview – 9am- 7pm, service will operate to/from the Transit Center via Patton Ave. There will be no service on Haywood St. or Montford Ave. This route will be used on all inbound and out trips. Route 51 – Montford/Hillcrest – 7:30pm- 11pm, service will operate to/from the Transit Center & Montford Ave. via Patton Ave. to Haywood St. and to Montford Ave. There will be no service on Flint St., Cherry St. and the portion of Haywood St. in front of the Civic Center. This route will be used on all inbound and out trips. For more information, visit www.ashevilletransit.com or contact 253-5691 Labels: asheville, events, government, music Tuesday, April 28, 2009 National Prsevation Month Kicks-Off at Asheville's Ashton Park4:47 PM ASHEVILLE, NC - May is National Preservation Month, and Asheville celebrates this year with a kick-off event at the newly renovated historic Aston Park on Friday.Music and refreshments are planned at the park from 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Aston Park is located at the intersection of South French Broad Avenue and Hilliard Avenue in downtown Asheville. The event will feature information on Asheville's historic neighborhoods and landmarks, rehabilitation tax credits and sustainable building practices. “Preservation Naturally, Celebrating Heritage Sustainably” is the theme for the month-long celebration, which allows citizens to enjoy and appreciate our unique natural and cultural heritage. Additional events are featured on Asheville’s Preservation Month Web page, www.ashevillenc.gov/preservationmonth. Preservation Month is locally sponsored by The Historic Resources Commission of Asheville and Buncombe County, Asheville Historic Tours, Friends of Mountain History, Joan Richards Art and Frame, Asheville GreenWorks, Friends of Mountain History, Beverly-Hanks & Associates and the Preservation Society of Asheville and Buncombe County. Labels: asheville, events, government Thursday, April 23, 2009 Asheville City Council Looking for Board Members8:10 AM
ASHEVILLE, NC - WANTED: Citizens who are willing to become local leaders. That’s the goal of the City Boards and Commissions. Asheville City Council is looking for some citizens who want to get involved and make a difference by serving on a city board or commission. The boards listed below currently have vacancies and are looking for dedicated citizens to lead the community. The deadline for receiving applications for these opening is Thursday, May 7 at 5 p.m. CIVIC CENTER COMMISSION – Some duties of the Commission include (1) reviewing and making recommendations on programming goals and objectives for each venue in the Civic Center; (2) establishing a method for handling of customer service complaints; (3) developing and making recommendations regarding long range plans for the Civic Center; (4) reviewing and making recommendations on proposals for changes in the fees and charges for use of Civic Center facilities; (5) encouraging promotion of sports, recreation, entertainment and cultural events and activities, and to facilitate the use of the services and facilities of the Civic Center; and (6) performing other such tasks and functions as the City Council may direct. CIVIL SERVICE BOARD - The Board works with the Human Resources Department to resolve employee grievances on an as-needed basis, as well as meets periodically to discuss personnel administration issues. PUBLIC ART BOARD - The Board was established to promote and maintain public art. The Board's purpose and responsibilities include: (1) provide public art in public buildings and public spaces; promote Asheville as an "arts destination" city and use public art as a major attraction for cultural tourism and economic development; educate the citizens of Asheville and visitors about local culture and history through art; encourage the use of volunteers on public art projects to include maintenance of public art when appropriate; be responsible for raising public donations of money to match City of Asheville appropriations for public art; be responsible for approving the subject matter of public art after the City Council has made appropriations for public art at specific sites; be responsible for developing a procedure for the selection of art and/or artists which will include public input, as well as appropriate staff review; recommend accepting gifts of money and art to the City Council; be responsible for acknowledging the gift to the donor and making recommendations to City Council for appropriate recognition; and inventory public art semi-annually to ensure that the conditions and standards of public art are being met and report their condition to the Parks & Recreation Director, including recommendations for maintenance, repair or deaccessioning when appropriate. Labels: art, asheville, government Tuesday, April 21, 2009 Asheville Celebrates Earth Day10:11 AM
ASHEVILLE, NC - Learn what the City of Asheville is doing to be green by attending the first annual Earth Day Expo. The expo will be held at the Public Works building (161 South Charlotte Street) first floor in room A109 on Wednesday, April 22 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and is free to the community. The expo will be focused on energy efficiency and will highlight the sustainability initiatives of the city.
Councilmember Robin Cape will open the event and a presentation will be provided by the City of Asheville’s Energy Coordinator and the Sustainability Advisory Committee on the Energy and the Environment. Time will be provided for the public to speak with experts from various city departments. Earth Day Expo is part of a larger national event called the National Conversation on Climate Action (www.climateconversation.org ) organized by ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability. Various events throughout the nation will bring together thousands of people in communities to drive local level solutions to global climate change. “This is an unprecedented initiative to engage dozens of communities and thousands of people to drive substantive, solutions-oriented dialogues about climate action opportunities at the local level”, said Michelle Wyman, Executive Director of ICLEI USA. For additional questions please email Phil Kleiser at sustainabilityintern@ashevillenc.gov Labels: asheville, events, government, green Friday, April 3, 2009 Report: Crafts Generate $206M for Western N.C. Economy4:18 PM ASHVEVILLE, NC - The head of the state Department of Cultural Resources said Friday that the craft industry generates more than $206 million a year for the economy of western North Carolina.Secretary Linda Carlisle made the announcement at the headquarters of HandMade in America in Asheville. She was joined by representatives of the six groups that commissioned the study to update figures from 1995. Fourteen years ago, the crafts industry had a $122 million impact on the region. The study details the economic contributions of crafts by sector, including artists, retail galleries, schools and consumers. “Craft feeds the heart and families throughout western North Carolina,” Carlisle said in a statement. “This new research study highlights the leadership, entrepreneurship and educational resources of this nimble industry, and provides in-depth information about the financial support it brings to the region.” The findings concluded that the region is well-established as a leading U.S. center for craft production and education and, as such, is both a significant growth industry and a draw for tourists, one of our region’s main sources of revenue. Labels: art, asheville, government Thursday, April 2, 2009 Former County Chair David Young Named to NC Board of Governors2:15 PM
RALEIGH, NC - Two failed candidates in last year's race for state treasurer, one Democrat and one Republican, were elected Wednesday by the state House to seats on the University of North Carolina Board of Governors.
State Democratic Party chairman David Young of Asheville, Republican Bill Daughtridge of Rocky Mount, and six others were elected to eight House appointments to the board that oversees the state's 16 public universities. Three others were in the contest, including Willis Whichard of Chapel Hill, a former state Supreme Court judge and former dean of the Campbell University law school.
The Senate elected eight nominees last week. Daughtridge was in the state House for six years before the Republican ran last year for treasurer, a race won by Democrat Janet Cowell. Young was an incumbent on the UNC board. Also selected by the House were: - Walter Davenport, a retired certified public accountant from Raleigh who is chairman of the board of trustees at Elizabeth City State University. - James Deal Jr., a Boone attorney and member of the Appalachian State University board of trustees. - Dudley Flood, a Raleigh educational consultant. - Charles Mercer Jr., a Raleigh attorney and member of the UNC Board of Governors. - Fred Mills Sr., a Raleigh construction company head. - Dr. Irvin Roseman, a Wilmington dentist and member of the UNC Board of Governors. Labels: asheville, government, politics Friday, March 27, 2009 Shuler Talking About Green Jobs for Western NC7:27 AM
ASHEVILLE, N.C. — North Carolina Rep. Heath Shuler is meeting with educational, business and environmental leaders to discuss the future of his mountain district.
Shuler will speak Friday in Asheville about green-collar jobs, developing a work force, growing the economy and combatting global climate change. The Democratic lawmaker will be joined by Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton and other leaders from the region.
President Obama has said he wants to focus on building a green economy by retraining workers, and the $787 billion stimulus bill he signed last month includes tax incentives for clean energy, guarantees loans for companies that develop clean energy technologies and invests in research designed to reduce climate change. Labels: asheville, government, politics, shuler Tuesday, March 24, 2009 Asheville's City Online Services to be Interupted4:32 PM ASHEVILLE, NC - The city of Asheville’s online customer services will be interrupted Thursday, March 26, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This interruption is to implement an upgrade to the city’s computer software applications.Affected online services include: development & building permit tracking, parking ticket payments and utility bill payments. “The city regrets this inconvenience; however, this software upgrade ensures the city continues to provide appropriately supported technology for these online services,” stated Jason Mann, GIS and applications manager. Labels: asheville, government Thursday, March 19, 2009 Woodfin Set To Begin Annexation Hearings on Leicester9:53 AMASHEVILLE, NC - Amid persistent rumors that the City of Asheville is eying the Leicester area for possible annexation the Town of Woodfin took action Tuesday night to begin a series of annexation hearings for the unincorporated area along Asheville's northern border in Leicester. The potential annexation area would run from Woodfin's present town limits across New Leicester Highway and along Asheville's northern border, preventing Asheville from ever annexing further into the Leicester area. Woodfin officials passed a Resolution of Intent to Annex at their regularly scheduled March 17th meeting. "The Board has been concerned for some time about Asheville moving further north and the possible negative impacts that might have on our community. One area of particular concern is how an annexation by Asheville might impact the West Buncombe Fire District which serves about a 1000 Woodfin residents at present. Our understanding is that if Asheville moved further up the road it has the potential drain a lot of revenue from the fire district which would likely compromise their ability to maintain the high level of service they provide the community. Unlike Asheville, a Woodfin annexation would not impact fire district revenues." Town officials stressed that this matter was far from decided. "Our Board wants to talk to the residents of the area proposed for annexation and to hear their thoughts and concerns, unfortunately the only way to conduct such discussions without providing another town or city the opportunity to annex an area is to pass a Resolution of Intent. Passing the Resolution will allow community members and town officials the opportunity to find out whether or not such an annexation makes sense without having to worry that Asheville might act unilaterally during those discussions." said Young. According to Young, the Woodfin Board of Aldermen has been concerned about signals that Asheville might be considering a move north for some time, but that the recent construction of a new Asheville ABC store near the City's northern border had amplified those concerns among Board members and residents of Leicester that have reached out to the Town concerning the issue. "We have had a number of people who live just north of Asheville approach Board members and staff about their concern that they would soon be annexed by the City. Since they announced the construction of the new ABC store those contacts seem to have intensified." Young added. Property owners within the proposed area of annexation will be notified in mail about the upcoming hearings and will have an opportunity to get information ask questions and express their concerns. The annexation study has not been competed at this time, but members of the public with questions are encouraged to contact the Woodfin Town Administrator. Labels: asheville, government, leicester, woodfin Wednesday, March 11, 2009 Asheville Parks and Recreation Hosts Easter Eggstravaganza7:35 AMASHEVILLE, NC - Pack up the family, grab your baskets, and join Asheville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts. The day will be full of Easter fun with giant inflatables, crafts, face painting, balloon twists, a magician, and a performance by the Mountain Thunder Cloggers, on Saturday, April 4 from 1-3 p.m. at Carrier Park, located along the French Broad River on Amboy Road. Egg hunts for ages 4-10 will be held at 2 p.m., with a special egg area set up for ages 3 and under. All children will receive a free Easter goody bag. Bring your camera for a family photo with the Easter Bunny, who will be on hand to entertain and visit. Do the chicken dance with Bo, the Bojangles' Chicken, and enjoy a free Bo-Berry biscuit! And stop by the Star 104.3 or the 99.9 Kiss Country booths for giveaways and to meet the DJs. All festivities are produced by Asheville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Department, and sponsored by Bojangles' Famous Chicken 'n Biscuits, Star 104.3, and 99.9 Kiss Country. For information call (828) 253-3714. Labels: asheville, government, parks and recreation Monday, March 9, 2009 Governor Bev Perdue to Speak in Woodfin12:51 PM
WOODFIN, NC - Governor Beverly Perdue will be in Woodfin on Thursday, March 12 at the Crest Center. Governor Perdue will be speaking to the Council of Independent Business Owners, Inc. (CIBO) at noon. CIBO will be hosting the Governor for an informational speech on the state of the State. This event will bring Governor Perdue back to Woodfin for the first time since her inauguration. While serving as Lt. Governor, Perdue spoke at the dedication of the methane power generation plant at the old Buncombe County Landfill located on Riverside Drive in March of 2006. Additional details of this event may be gained by contacting the Town of Woodfin and or the CIBO directly at (828) 254-2426 for ticket information. Labels: government, woodfin Wednesday, March 4, 2009 Asheville Fire and Rescue Kick-Off, Severe Weather Awareness Week9:07 AMAsheville Fire and Rescue would like to inform the Asheville area that the first week in March has been named Severe Weather Awareness Week. This week is dedicated to educating individuals to be aware of what to do in case of a storm. The National Weather Service issued 784 thunderstorm and high wind warnings and watches during 2008 in North Carolina. They issued 106 flash flood warnings and confirmed at least 50 tornadoes; causing more than $20 million in damages. The most important thing individuals can do during severe weather is to be aware of it. Knowing the moment an alert is issued can give provide critical minutes to get to safety. Weather radios are an effective way to know when there is an alert. Because severe weather could result in a multitude of emergency situations, citizens should pack and plan to be prepared. This means to be ready before the emergency occurs and to have your emergency preparedness kit and plan in place. A three day supply of food and water is recommended along with batteries, warm clothes and blankets, personal items, medicine, important documents and a first aid kit. Please remember to keep elderly, children and pets in mind. For further information, please contact Asheville Fire and Rescue or visit the website at www.ashevillenc.gov/fire. Other informational websites include: www.ready.gov, www.redcross.org, or www.readync.org. Labels: asheville, government, weather Monday, March 2, 2009 Asheville City: Delayed Garbage and Recycling Collection9:51 AM ASHEVILLE, NC - Winter weather conditions have delayed garbage and recycling collection today, Monday, March 2, 2009. Sanitation crews are operating on a delayed schedule this morning due to the slippery road conditions. If road conditions do not improve throughout the day, residents are requested to leave their trash out at curbside for crews to collect as soon as road conditions improve. Brush collection and leaf collection will be on hold as well until weather conditions improve. Curbside Management, the City’s recycling contractor will also be operating on a delayed schedule.Recycling customers scheduled for pickup today, are requested to place their recyclables out today. In the event, that they are not collected today, they will be collected as soon as road conditions improve. For further information contact the City of Asheville at 251-1122. Labels: asheville, government Wednesday, February 18, 2009 Asheville City Lists Street Closures on Web8:50 AMASHEVILLE - Because advance warning of roadwork improves driver safety and convenience, the city is now listing all permitted street closures at www.ashevillenc.gov/street_closures. The web page provides a detailed listing of approved street closure permits processed by Asheville's Transportation and Engineering Department. This new online listing provides advance notice of local road closures, enhancing roadway safety and notifying the community of possible delays. It is also a convenient resource for business owners to plan for deliveries and impacts on parking. For more information about street closure permits, visit www.ashevillenc.gov/street_closures or call (828) 259-5943. Labels: asheville, government, traffic Friday, February 13, 2009 Rep. Shuler Statement on Conference Report of Stimulus Package11:36 PMWASHINGTON D.C. - U.S. Representative Heath Shuler today released the following statement after voting against the conference report on H.R. 1, the economic stimulus package. "We all agree that action must be taken to stimulate our economy. However, I continue to disagree with the course of action laid out in this bill. Its focus should have been solely on programs that offer an immediate economic impact -- like extending unemployment insurance -- and investments in our nation's infrastructure, which have a rate of return of 6 to 1. While this final bill does provide some funding in those areas I am remarkably concerned that only 3.4% of the funding in this package goes toward repairing our country's highways and bridges. More specifically, across the country there are currently transportation projects totaling $64 billion that could be under contract within 180 days, yet this bill provides only $27.5 billion for those projects." "In the end, this bill simply contained entirely too much spending in areas that will not provide an immediate stimulative effect to our nation's economy. With our national debt approaching $11 trillion we should not be borrowing hundreds of billions of dollars without careful and deliberate consideration." "Additionally, I am remarkably disappointed in House leadership for bringing a bill of this size and magnitude up for a vote without giving members adequate time to review it fully. We must have a greater respect for this institution and for its Members." Background Shuler introduced legislation in the 110th Congress, H.Res, 484, to require all legislation be posted on the Internet for 48 hours before it is considered on the House floor. Labels: government, legislation Thursday, February 12, 2009 Asheville City Calls for Community Project Initiatives8:15 AMASHEVILLE - The City of Asheville is calling for proposals from local organizations and agencies for a community portfolio of projects to be considered for funds available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The project portfolio will be available at www.ashevillenc.gov/economicrecovery for public review and will also be made available to state or federal agencies in an effort to demonstrate the community's capacity to effectively use recovery funds. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (H.R. 1) specifies the types of projects and programs it seeks to fund within the complete text of the bill. The version of the bill that passed the U.S. House of Representatives can be found here (PDF). Text of the version that passed the U.S. Senate is available here. Focus areas in both bills include public infrastructure projects (roads, bridges, mass transit, water and waste water facilities, digital infrastructure, etc.), renewable energy, weatherization, health and human services, and education, among others. The act prohibits the use of funds for casinos or other gambling establishments, aquariums, zoos, golf courses, and swimming pools. While the House and Senate bills have many of the same elements, the exact amounts spent on similar items and programs varies. The bills have advanced to a joint House/Senate committee where differences between the two bills will be worked out. According to news reports, Congressional leaders hope the legislation can be sent to the President to be signed into law by Feb. 16. H.R. 1 gives preference to activities that can be started and completed expeditiously, with a specific goal of awarding 50 percent of available funds to projects that can be initiated within 120 days of passage of the act. The act also emphasizes the use grant funds in a manner that maximizes job creation and economic benefit. A summary of goals outlined in the act states its intent:
Proposals can be submitted to the City of Asheville using a Community Project Proposal Form. Information requested for each submission includes: a description of the project or infrastructure investment; purpose of the investment; total cost of the investment and an estimate of how many jobs it will create; project schedule; a brief description of how the project will achieve the goals of the Recovery Act, and; contact information for the proposing agency. Completed proposals and questions about submittals can be sent to economicrecovery@ashevillenc.gov. Although there is no deadline for submissions, it is strongly encouraged that projects be considered as soon as possible while final passage of the act is considered. Any projects that advance for funding consideration via the City of Asheville if and when funds become available through the programs described in the legislation will be subject to City Council consideration and approval. Labels: asheville, community, government Previous Posts
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